China's leading smartphone maker Huawei is tapping the European market and making big steps in Italy. The company ranks number two in market share in Italy, and has reshuffled the structure of the local smartphone environment.

Chinese smartphone maker Huawei has taken 23% of the smart phone market in Italy. That's according to a new report by marketing research firm GfK.

Huawei now ranks ahead of Apple as the second best selling smart phone brand in Italy, just behind Samsung.

"First it was the Huawei P8 and p8 light series. Now it's the P9 series. They have strict design and technical requirements, and meet our customers' needs," said Roberto Bartini, shop manager, Mondatori.

Huawei expects shipments to exceed 4 million units in Italy this year, accounting for 25 percent of the market.

"I've noticed that Huawei's sales has increased a lot lately. More and more people know this brand in Italy," said Martina Ardutti, shop assistant, Wind, Milan.

Huawei sells its phones to local telecommunication carriers Vodafone, Wind, and Three. Huawei also targets its brand building effort towards young Italians by appearing in TV singing program the Voice of Italy, and sponsoring AC milan.

"From last year, we've started a plan to hire graduates from top five Italian universities. We are preparing for a future talent pool," said Zou Liangjun, director, Mobile Phone Dept, Huawei Italy.

A study by Huawei shows that its brand recognition has risen to 87% this year in Italy, buoyant by word of mouth in the young consumers.